Reviews (12)

Good book but missing key information
This book has LOTS of really good information.But it is missing some significant stuff, Brion.PLEASE PLEASE do another addition and include SOME information about the following:
The Thoughts of a REAL RIGGER
As a rigger myself, i thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it most informative and useful for my trade. However, there was little or no mention of brews OR 3 leets - surely this is an integral part of being a RIGGER? Also, there is only one rigger. The only thing like it for traditional craft
Brion Toss has become "da man" in modern rigging in many ways, and a lot of that is attributable to this great book.It's a big, thick thing, loaded with information, not all of it easily absorbed on the first read.It's meant to give you a firm grounding in what rigging is, what it does, and how to inspect and maintain your own rig, how to adjust it, how to replace worn sections.Will it tell you everything you need to know to design a rig from the ground up on a serious racing yacht?Heck, no.It isn't meant to.What this book does is give you the tools you need to approach your own rig without fear and trembling - to realize that, after all, it's just a bunch of parts, and that you can comprehend and work with those parts, understand their roles, and get the most from your boat.Will you be forever independant of professional riggers?Probably not.But it goes a long way toward making that a realizable goal, if you apply yourself.And it should be known that this book is especially strong on traditional rigs, the more traditional the better.You'll learn how to worm, parcel, and serve, how to lace deadeyes, and why galvanized is great and stainless isn't stainless. And if that last sentence frightens you, you're probably not in the intended demographic.Rod rigging and carbon fiber masts are mentioned, at best, in passing, and largely for comic relief.Keep that in mind.Makes an absolutely perfect companion to Marino's "Sailmaker's Apprentice." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Sailing - General    3. Ship Maintenance And Repair    4. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation    9. Boating    10. Marine engineering    11. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (6)

Dust Collector
Good intentions but no substance. If you own an outboard, you know that each size and brand are quite unique and generalizing the repairs of them is about as useful to an owner as a dry lake. This book is very small and it WILL collect dust or end up beneath a repair manual. Believe me.

Excellent overview- but buy the service manual too
This book provides a thorough explanation of the workings of 2-stroke & 4-stroke outboard engines, with conscientious troubleshooting guides & meticulous maintenance schedules.However, it works best as a companion to the service manual (not the general Owners Manual, but the Service Manual) for your specific model.Consider the number of outboard engine types and it's easy to see that diagrams and descriptions included are necessarily generic.If you're the kind of person who likes to know the theory behind the black box before fixing anything, order this & the manual.If you just want to learn how to clean your carburetor, call your manufacturer & get the manual.

Great info for 99% of outboard owners
I'm not quite sure what the reviewer from Raleigh, N.C. expected from this book. It is clearly not written with the intent of teaching you how to tear down and rebuild outboard motors. The editor's review above clearly says that. But If you are looking for a good common sense all-round outboard motor troubleshooting guide, then this book, combined with the specific shop manual for your motor, some moderately cheap test equipment (which you may have a lot of already) and anyone with a descent mechanical aptitude will probably be able to fix 90% of all the problems they will ever encounter with an outboard motor. The other 10% I personally will leave to the pros. It will also teach you how to avoid a lot of problems in the first place which is the biggest savings when your talking outboards. I am just a hobbyist, not a mechanic and this book has already helped me get two old motors back up and running and has been well worth its price to me. The book is well organized and is easy to understand. The author keeps things simple and down to earth and isn't trying to impress anyone with a bunch of techno-jargon. Sure the text could have been larger, maybe the pictures a little better, but hey what's perfect for everyone? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Maintenance and repair    4. Outboard Motors    5. Sailing - General    6. Ship Maintenance And Repair    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Repair & Maintenance    9. Sports    10. Transportation    11. Boating    12. Engines & power transmission    13. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    14. Ships & shipping: general interest    15. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (1)

An Excellent Book

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Subjects:  1. Data processing    2. Engineering mathematics    3. Estimation theory    4. MATLAB    5. Mensuration    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Waves & Wave Mechanics    10. Electronics & Communications Engineering    11. Science / Waves & Wave Mechanics   

Reviews (9)

"What does 'rky' mean? Oops!"
Since the current U.S. Administration saw fit to cease publication of CHART NO. 1, the government's own guide to reading maritime maps, back in 2000 (maybe they figured Dubai might pick up the slack around our harbors), HOW TO READ A NAUTICAL CHART is an absolutely crucial educational volume for those of us new to reading charts.
Nigel is among the most informative
Got about all Nigel's books - as I had expected, he gives a good clear insight on nautical charts and how to read them. Not much else to say! Thanks Nigel for helping make the dream come true!
great resource
A great resource even for experienced skippers.Also makes you very aware of the limitations of modern cartography (ie how many charted depths are based on a survey done 50 or 100 years ago!). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Military Science    4. Nautical charts    5. Navigation    6. Sailing - Navigation    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Symbols    10. Transportation    11. Boating    12. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (2)

Useful book for practical work on vibration and acoustics
I work as acoustic consultant, primarily with noise and vibration simulation. 'Sounds' like a winner
This textbook was helpful in communicating the basic principles of engineering acoustics.Several errors, (k^2 missing in numerator of equation 6.14, page 109) but generally a good reference when coupled with good teaching.Includes around 8-10 problems after each chapter with solutions in the back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustical Engineering    2. Acoustics & Sound    3. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Engineering: general    8. Sound, vibration & waves (acoustics)    9. Technology / Engineering / Mechanical   

Reviews (9)

Just the facts
Style wise, this is the opposite of The Sailmaker's Apprentice by Marino. This is not a book to pick up while sitting by the fire sipping tea. It is a great reference book with concise "how to" information. I have a friend who told me that there is nothing beyand repair on a fiberglass boat. After reading this book, I'm beginning to belive him. Good explanations of both materials and techniques - including safety.

Go ahead and get the grinder!
A sweet book that gave me the confidence to 'go for it' and tackle some ugly holes in my dinghy hull. What's more it was not that bad after all!It's all here, from finishing the gelcoat scrapes/cracks to repairing gaping holes- you may want to buy in conjunction with 'sailboat refinishing' to help with that final effort. Fully recommended!

Good advice
This book covers the basic as well as some advanced topics about repairing all types of fiberglass hulls, decks, through hull fittings, teak wood, and other related topics.I recommend the book for the beginner who needs basic information about fiberglass repair. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Boating - Boatbuilding    3. Boating - General    4. Decks (Naval architecture)    5. Hulls (Naval architecture)    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Reference    8. Sail Powered Craft Maintenance And Repair    9. Sailboats    10. Sailing - General    11. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    12. Sports    13. Sports & Recreation    14. Boating    15. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    16. Ships & shipping: general interest    17. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (2)

Hooray for Hartmann!
Simply put, this is the only assigned text I kept from my college years. It's compact size and overall readability are excellent. Although intended for advanced undergrads and beginning graduate students, it's still a great reference for multi-disciplinary scientists, basic global circulation modellers, researchers, and professors. The appendices are particularly noteworhty, especially the list of English and Greek symbols commonly used in just about all the physical sciences, and the derivation of SI Units. If anything, the book is pricey (as all in the International Geophysics Series are), but this one is worth it.

The standard of comparison for global systems science.
This is the most thorough, most rigorous, well-written textbook in global systems climatology that I've seen.If you're bright, interested, and aren't allergic to equations (you don't need to read them to understand thebook, you just have to not freak out) then this text will teach you moreabout the planet as a dynamic system than any other that I've seen -- plus,unlike most texbooks, it's not chuck full of stupid mistakes.I've used itin my upper division climatology class since it came out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atmospheric physics    2. Climatology    3. Earth Sciences - General    4. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    5. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Weather    9. Science / Meteorology   

Reviews (3)

Magnetometer Reference
This book in including everything has no meat about anything.References are presented in lieu of in depth analysis.A good starting point and a wealth of references.

Magnetometer reference text
Ripka has written the best and most comprehensive book, to date,on Magnetic field sensing. We are a manufacturer of leading edge fluxgate magnetometers and I consider this required reading for our new engineers. A "must have" for the reference library of any engineer working in the field of magnetic instrumentation. MagBible for MagMan
There are many books and publications on magnetometers and their applications. Each book is written about miracles of the one method of magnetic field measurement. The book about all for the first time has appeared!I think the experts will be convinced that his method is the best. The fans can compare and choose the best. This book will handbook for everyone who distinguishes Mag and Mag. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Detectors    2. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    3. Engineering Instruments    4. Industrial Design - General    5. Magnetic instruments    6. Magnetometer    7. Mensuration    8. Optics    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Electronics & Communications Engineering    13. Remote sensing   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - Weapons    3. Military Engineering    4. Military Science    5. Military Science (General)    6. Reference    7. Yearbooks & Annuals    8. Ordnance, weapons technology    9. Yearbooks, annuals, almanacs   

Subjects:  1. Atmospheric Chemistry    2. Chemistry - General    3. Earth Sciences - Geology    4. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    5. Environmental Science    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Weather    9. Atmospheric regions    10. Environmental chemistry    11. Science / Meteorology   

Reviews (2)

Excellent technical history of the Tiger II
Thomas Jentz and artist/collaborator Hillary Louis Doyle have created an excellent technical overview of the development and production modifications of the Tiger II "King Tiger," using only originaldocumentation and actual preserved vehicles as references. There is nosecond-hand information of any kind, and no propagation of postwar myths.There is less pure engineering information than the earlier work by WalterSpielberger (i.e. don't expect diagrams of the inner workings of engine andtransmissions), but the intended audience for this book is clearly themodel-builder. The numerous drawings are to the popular modeler's scale of1/35th, and numerous detail photos will aid the would-be model builder. Incombination with such works as Wolfgang Schneider's "Tigers inCombat," you would have an ideal library on the King Tiger. However,this volume does not cover the Jagdtiger tank destroyer (Schiffer doespublish a two-volume work on this vehicle by another author).

An excellent case study of the Tiger Ausf. B.
This is THE book about the German Tiger II tank.Read more

Subjects:  1. History: World    2. Military Science    3. Technology & Industrial Arts    4. Germany    5. Land forces & warfare    6. Military vehicles   

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Mechanical    2. Outboard Motors    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    5. Ships & Shipbuilding - General    6. Transportation    7. Technology / Engineering / Mechanical   

Reviews (1)

Every JEEP restorer needs a copy
This book will help the Jeep-fan to discover and know how the MB and GPW differed. It is full of useful text and graphics, that will make the reader a nearly-expert in those "beautiful" cars. I really enjoyed every page of it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. History    3. Jeep automobile    4. Maintenance and repair    5. Military trucks    6. United States   

Reviews (8)

The Mosin-Nagant Rifle (For Collectors Only)
Great book, lots of detail, great history on the rifle.Very organized.

Well done
As a long time collector of the Mosin Nagant rifle and also having my research on these rifles in a number of different Medias, I am pleased to say Terence has done a fine job with his works on the Mosin Nagant.I think all new collectors should have this book as a guide and even long time collectors will find the book helpful. The author covers a lot of ground in this book so it is hard to be overly detailed but too be honest a definitive work on the Mosin Nagant would run into thousands of pages.I am glad to have been able to assist the author in the past and hope to do more in the future.A+

So-so as collectors go...
Lots of information... Not many photos. Mostly line drawings. Instead of going in chronilogical order, he goes by parts... Stock, sights, barrel, etc. This is very difficult to try to date any weapons. I think the book was written because most Nagants are made up of parts from various years. Still, I think it would be nice if he had started with photos of the earliest model versions and then discussed all the various parts. Just an opinion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Rifles    2. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (6)

Absolutely the best single volume reference on the market!
After having purchased hundreds of reference books on AFV's over the years, this is the book I keep going back to the most. From WWI up through modern, the sheer amount of information included is staggering, especially considering it features many designs you will not find in even more focused collections.
Superb work for those interested in classic armor
As was indicated in a previous review, if you need up-to-the-minute data on modern Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), this is not the book for you.However, that is just about its only weakness.
More coffee table than reference
I'm a big fan of anything Chris Foss writes, publishes or edits. His facts aren't always spot on - his deadlines for publication obviously have him rush and cut corners. I purchased this book in December 2003 and have spent many hours flipping the pages. Overall - I enjoy owning and reading this book.
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Subjects:  1. Armored vehicles, Military    2. Automotive - Miscellaneous Vehicles    3. Encyclopedias    4. General    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - General    9. Military Science    10. Tanks (Military science)    11. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Environmental Science    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Atmospheric physics    6. Atmospheric regions    7. Environmental chemistry    8. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (6)

Thumb up!!!
Hi!!!
Creates an excellent foundation.
An excellent book for learning about fiberglass/composites. Before reading this book, I had little knowledge about composties, but a desire to learn. The information is presented in a way that anyone can understand it. Aird educates the reader about different fiber types and weaves, resins and resin systems, gel coat, trade tools, safety, and basic lay-up. He also includes information on molds, plugs, and strength/stress -- though I feel these sections make having some hands-on knowledge of composites an asset, which I lack. It is an excellent book that can take you from knowing nothing, to a point where you can talk intelligently about composites with someone in the FRP field. As other reviews have pointed out, this is not a step by step manual; but is probably a prerequisite to actually understanding one. In conclusion: I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about fiberglass and composite systems.

Definitely worth the price
I had an interest in getting into Fiberglassing, so i bought this book.As most of the other people who reviewed this book said, it's not a step by step manual, but it offers a very good overview.Good enough that i ended up buying a second copy for a friend.If you have an interest, i would recommend this book.It's worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - General    4. Composite Materials    5. Glass fibers    6. Material Science    7. Materials    8. Mechanical Properties Of Materials    9. Ocean engineering    10. Reinforced plastics    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Automotive technology    14. Mechanics of solids    15. Reference works    16. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (1)

GPS for Mariners
This was a most disappointing book. It was not at all helpful and basically a waste of money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artificial satellites in navig    2. Artificial satellites in navigation    3. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    4. Global Positioning System    5. Military Science    6. Navigation    7. Satellite Communication Technology    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    9. Technology    10. Transportation    11. Boating    12. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Subjects:  1. Atmospheric Radiations    2. Atmospheric radiation    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. Geophysics    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Weather    8. Atmospheric pollution    9. Environmental impact of radiation    10. Meteorology    11. Science / Meteorology   

Editorial Review

Attention landlubbers: If you don't know your port from your starboard, tacking from jibing, then you need to experience clear sailing with the Dummies. With the usual cargo of good humor and demystifying tone, this mast in the Dummies armada lifts the fog on confusing nautical language, teaches the basics about maneuvering a sailboat from dock to open ocean, floats important safety information, and offers advice and info on a variety of related issues (knots, racing, sailboards, how to buy a sailboat). Whether you want to learn to sail or just talk like a sailor, Read more

Reviews (16)

Sailing for Dummies?That's us!
We are buying our first sailboat and needed to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible.This book is easy to follow and really is very helpful in helping the reader to get a solid understanding of what is what and how it works and what to do.I also found it entertaining and humorous.We will give this book a prominent place of honor in our new boat and will refer back to it often.If someone wanted to learn to sail, this is the first book they should read.

Not the best for THIS dummy.
The authors have maybe a bit too much expertise and experience to effectively write for "dummies" like myself.Somehow after reading this, I had just as many questions as before.Part of the problem is this book is way too comprehensive, covering such topics as sail-boarding.I would rather have had more in depth explainations of the basics and more diagrams/illustrations.

Well-organized and incredibly useful
Hard to beat this book if you're just getting your hands on the mainmast for the first time.A wealth of info on every topic you'll need to know, presented in pictures and entertaining quotes and headlines.There are sections that deal with all the tricky details of actually getting the boat out of the dock and into the open sea, as well as a crucial section on what to do if, well, your sailing experience doesn't exactly go as planned.Pay attention to what the Islers say here-- you'll protect yourself from the most common (and often dangerous) mistakes beginners make if you've barely dipped your feet into water, and you'll improve your skills to a surprising extent even if you're more advanced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sailing    2. Sailing - General    3. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Sailing